Fourth Republican vying for new York County House seat

A conservative Christian has joined the race as the fourth Republican competing in the May 20 primary for a new state House seat moving to York County through redistricting.

William Anderson, a 62-year-old IT field administrator who lives in Manheim Township, was earlier a candidate for a special election for the 28th Senate District. With party leaders having selected state Rep. Ron Miller, R-Jacobus, for that race, Anderson said he's focusing on the new 169th House District.

Anderson said he's committed to traditional Christian family values, and he opposes abortion and gay marriage and would rely on his faith, "which the country was founded on," if elected.

"I don't see how we can actually separate religion from government," he said. "If you don't have a faith to base your judgments on, you're going by what you think and what the guy next to you thinks. If you do prayer or study of scripture, the truth will stick out."

Anderson said his primary focus as a legislator would be to "take control of the budget," but he declined to name specific areas he would cut or increase "until I get a closer look at the budget."

Property tax: He said school funding and property taxes would also be priorities, and he's in favor of tax reform proposed by Rep. Seth Grove, R-Dover Township that would allow school districts to shift away from property taxes and toward income and other taxes.

Advertisement

Reform is also needed on a school level, he said, because "tenures are being granted to non-functional teachers."

Anderson said he would be in favor of selling off and privatizing the state's liquor stores.

"I don't see why the state would be involved with that at all," he said. "Of course I'd prefer it if people didn't drink at all."

Background: A newcomer to the state political scene, Anderson has served as a local judge of elections and a township auditor, he said.

Anderson said he retired from the Air Force in 1993, after 22 years. A 1969 graduate of Bel Air High School in Maryland, he and wife are from Maryland and moved into York County in 1996, he said.

Also running for the new seat are semi-retired business owner Gene Montanarelli of Shrewsbury Township, attorney Kate Klunk of Hanover and Marc Woerner, a 42-year-old Republican who is a West Manheim Township supervisor. A Democrat has not yet announced candidacy.

The 169th will include Codorus, Heidelberg, Manheim, Penn, Shrewsbury and West Manheim townships and the boroughs of Glen Rock, Hanover, Jefferson, New Freedom and Railroad. The district will have a population of about 62,800, according to the state.